Hurriyet 2 June 2011 By R. Spencer Oliver Amid sweeping changes to the political landscape in the Mediterranean, the reinforcement of Turkey's commitment to democracy and regional leadership is now more important than ever. The Arab Spring may very well bring democracy to countries in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions; where for too long regimes have operated without accountability from the people. A revolutionary wave of protests and

Grand Forks Herald (USA) 29 May 2011 By Neil Simon COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- North Dakota recently became one of only four states in the country to enact a law guaranteeing its elections are open to international observers. To most people who follow the action in Bismarck, the one-page election observation act authored by state Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, and signed into law by Gov. Jack Dalrymple barely was noticed as just another

National Post (Canada) 15 September 2008 By Jerry Grafstein For the first time since violence erupted in Georgia this summer, Russian and Georgian parliamentarians soon will sit down to discuss the conflict between their two countries face to face -- and it will be happening right here in Canada: This week, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) conducts its fall meeting in Toronto. Georgia and

Roll Call (U.S.) 15 January 2008 By Reps. Alcee Hastings and Lloyd Doggett We recently had the opportunity to lead as well as participate in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's election observation mission in the Republic of Georgia. While we ultimately determined the elections were a "triumphant step toward democracy," it also reminded us of the challenges we still face here at home with our very own elections. On Jan. 5,